In a tightly contested UEFA Champions League Qualification match, KF Shkendija emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over The New Saints FC at the Tose Proeski Arena. The match was marked by KF Shkendija's attacking dominance, evidenced by their substantial 10 shots on target compared to The New Saints' 3. This attacking prowess was crucial in breaking down The New Saints' defense, ultimately leading to the pressure that caused the decisive own goal in overtime. Besart Ibraimi's influence was notable, providing the assist for the opening goal, as he was instrumental in driving forward the team's offensive plays.

The game's tempo was aggressive, with both teams demonstrating a significant level of physicality reflected in the number of fouls committed—18 by KF Shkendija and 25 by The New Saints. This aggressive play was mirrored in the distribution of yellow cards, with The New Saints receiving six compared to KF Shkendija's four. KF Shkendija's ability to maintain composure amidst the physical nature of the match was pivotal, as their reduced foul count likely kept critical players on the field, allowing them to maintain their offensive momentum.

Corner kicks were another indicator of KF Shkendija's attacking intent, with the home team earning seven compared to just one by The New Saints. This statistic underscores the sustained pressure KF Shkendija placed on their opponents, which eventually led to defensive errors, including the own goal by Jack Thomas Bodenham. However, despite this pressure, both teams demonstrated lapses in discipline with a total of 10 yellow cards, indicating moments of poor defensive judgment and a focus on breaking up play through fouls.

The defensive strategies also played a vital role. The New Saints mounted a strong resistance, with goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd making critical saves amidst the relentless barrage of shots. Despite their defensive efforts, KF Shkendija’s ability to create opportunities through effective team play and capitalize on set-pieces, as seen in the corner kick statistics, was a decisive factor in their success. The match highlighted the importance of discipline and tactical execution in high-stakes contests, with KF Shkendija’s measured aggression and effective use of set-piece situations proving instrumental in their hard-fought victory.

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